Things to Focus on in Your Life for More Happiness

Everyone has their own version of what true happiness looks like. Regardless of what it looks like for you, incorporating some healthy habits into your life can really help make a positive difference.

Daily Habits

Eat with Mood in Mind

You may think that the food you eat has nothing to do with your mental health, but that's not completely true. Incorporating more foods like fruits and vegetables into your diet may help positively impact your mood.

Eating regularly can also help by keeping your blood sugar level steady. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, you may experience mood swings, stress, or even anxiety.

Breathe Deeply

When you find yourself stressed from a long day at work or worried about a specific situation at home, take a deep breath and try to relax. You may feel tension in your body, so focus on that tension and work to relax your muscles. As you do, take in deep breaths to try to help calm yourself down.

Smile More

Smiling can make your brain release dopamine and other chemicals to help trick your brain into thinking you're happy. If you're feeling stressed, try smiling or laughing for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds is up, notice how it changed your mood and the tension in your body.

Weekly Habits

Plan Your Week

Life can feel a bit hectic at times, but it can help to sit down and try to plan it out as best you can. Plan out your week and what you expect to accomplish. Make a daily schedule to help you focus on what you need to get done in the morning or afternoon.

Sticking to a plan or a schedule can help relieve some stress. Keep in mind that there may be times when your schedule doesn't go exactly as planned, and that's okay.

You can make your schedule as detailed or as general as you need to.

Unplug

Turn off your electronics at the end of the week. Get away from social media or work, and just take time for yourself. Go for a walk and enjoy nature, dive into your favorite book for an hour, or spend some time out with friends.

Take Care of Yourself

It's easy to neglect your own self-care sometimes, especially during a busy work week. At the end of a hectic week, taking some time for your own self-care can be just what you need.

Treat yourself to an at-home spa day with a relaxing bath and some luxurious skincare. Put your feet up and just relax with your favorite movie or book.

Meditate

Meditation can really help quiet the mind and reduce stress. Meditating allows your brain to focus solely on your breaths so you can truly relax your mind and shut out intrusive thoughts.

With a busy schedule, it can be hard to do everyday, so start by trying it out once a week. Practicing mediation consistently may help positively impact how your brain responds to stress and anxiety.

Monthly Habits

Reflect

At the end of each month, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself: how are you doing? Are you happier than you were last month? What might need changing to get to the place you want to be?

Make sure you don't judge yourself too harshly. You made it through another crazy month and that means you should celebrate!

Take Yourself Out

The rules have never stated that you needed a plus one to enjoy yourself. Go out to your favorite restaurant, go see a movie, or take a weekend getaway somewhere you've always wanted to go. Celebrate all the accomplishments you had this month, big or small.

Have Suggestions?

Let me know what topics you're interested in, and I'll do my best to include them in future blogs! Email me at mark@outbackoil.com